Funding Opportunities: Graduate Students & Post-Doctoral Fellows

Welcome to the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Trainee Funding Opportunity Index. LDFP trainees may qualify for several funding and fellowship opportunities. Please ensure that you review the guidelines for each opportunity and discuss the funding opportunity with your supervisor. Feel free to reach out to the research office for additional questions (Mike Folinas, Sam D’Alfonso, or Lia Cardarelli)

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Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Fellows

Demonstrate academic excellence and high potential for success in their chosen fields;
Identify as Indigenous to Turtle Island and/or Black – Indigenous and/or Black researchers only;
Have obtained a doctoral degree, at the time the fellowship commences and normally within the last five years from the start of the fellowship; and
Not have held a Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship previously.

Award Explorer

Are you interested in awards at the University of Toronto? Whether you’re thinking of coming to U of T – or you are a current student pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies – this tool can help you explore the diverse funding opportunities that recognize your achievements and financially support your studies.

The graduate and Postdoctoral Awards databases are available here.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) - Free online training on patient engagement

Click here to start any module of the course

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) has developed a set of online, self-directed, free modules related to Patient Engagement (PE) in research! IMHA’s patient partners identified a need for more training in patient engagement and set to work filling the gap for practical tools and resources to help people do patient engagement in research. Modules must be completed in chronological order; after completing each module, you will receive a certificate. While the modules have been developed by IMHA, they are not disease- or condition-specific and are applicable to any research where patient partners are engaged.

Course: A How-to Guide for Patient Engagement in Research

Module 1: What is patient engagement?
Module 2: The research process: (a) Understanding the research process for patient partners and (b) Supporting patient partners throughout the research process for other members of the research team
Module 3: Setting up a research project for a successful partnership
Module 4: Patient engagement for research teams: (a) Being part of a research team for patient partners and (b) Engaging patients on your research team for other members of the research team

If you have any questions about the training or accessing the modules, please contact imha-iala@cihr-irsc.gc.ca and follow @CIHR_IMHA for related announcements!

Centre for Global Disability Studies - Small Grants Fund

The Centre for Global Disability Studies (CGDS) at the University of Toronto Scarborough has grants available for faculty, graduate students, and researchers in your unit. These easy-to-apply-for grants of $500-1500 can be used for accessible research, knowledge dissemination or community engagement, improving access to academic events, or any aspect of hosting a disability studies event on campus.

Common Questions:

Is my project sufficiently related to disability studies?
The Centre for Global Disability Studies promotes transdisciplinary research that understands disability as a social and political formation and ableism as a historical system of oppression with intersections with racism, colonialism, sexism, and classism. We do not fund medical research or clinical studies. We do fund social science and humanities projects that have a relationship to questions about ableism in the world.

You can see what folks have used small grants for in the past on the website if you need some inspiration. You can also get creative! Here are some ideas:

Do you want your published article to be open access but need to pay a fee?
Do you need an RA to update your website that helps community members find your research?
Do you need an RA to help you organize a meeting or prepare a letter or video to communicate research findings with research participants or the broader community
Do you want to purchase a piece of technology that will help you communicate with research participants?
Do you need a piece of software that will make organizing your research more accessible for you?
Do you want to pay a research participant to serve as a community expert consultant for your project?
Do you want to pay a community disability advocate to speak in your working group or department?
Do you want your department colloquium to have live captioning?
Do you need to improve the accessibility in the grad student lounge in your department?
Are you organizing a campus event on a theme related to disability justice with another organization and need a cosponsor?

Is my research “global” enough?

The small grants are flexible. Please apply. You might hear back suggestions about how you could revise your research plan to be better aligned with anti-racist and anti-colonial justice, but, if you are already considering ableism as a pervasive, transnational system of oppression, your research is eligible. However, grant proposals for research that takes a curative approach to disability and/or does not substantively engage with disability studies will be returned for revision. Moreover, accessible events grants do not need to pertain only to disability studies but can be requested for any campus event.

Click here to learn more or to apply.

LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA)

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA) is a prestigious funding opportunity offered by the University of Toronto to support outstanding postdoctoral scholars in advancing their research careers. This program is designed to provide postdoctoral fellows with the autonomy and resources necessary to develop and lead an independent research agenda that is distinct from, yet complementary to, their supervisor’s work.

The primary goal of the PCRA is to bridge the critical gap between doctoral training and independent academic careers. By offering financial support and recognition, the award enables postdoctoral scholars to strengthen their research expertise, build leadership skills, and position themselves for future faculty appointments or research-intensive roles in academia, industry, or government.

Recipients of this award will benefit from access to world-class research facilities, collaboration with leading faculty members, and tailored professional development opportunities. The program fosters innovation, creativity, and scholarly excellence within an inclusive and vibrant academic community. Ultimately, the PCRA aims to empower postdoctoral researchers to make significant contributions to their fields while establishing themselves as independent investigators.

Eligibility

This award is open to both domestic and international candidates. The following criteria are the minimum LDFP eligibility requirements for applicants and successful recipients.

Applicants must:

Be engaged, or expect to be engaged as a postdoctoral fellow (employee or trainee) of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy (teaching hospital postdocs are not employees of the university);
Have demonstrated academic excellence, capacity to conceptualize and execute independent research beyond their doctoral work, and evidence of intellectual leadership in their chosen field (as defined by LDFP); and
Complete all doctoral degree requirements by the time the award commences and normally be within five years from the completion of their doctoral degree,.

Award recipients must:

Be engaged as a postdoctoral employee/trainee of the University of Toronto with an engagement end date of no less than 12 months from the award start (teaching hospital postdocs are not employees of the university);
Be hired by an LDFP supervisor (primary appointment) ;
Register and remain registered with the Postdoctoral Office at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS); and
Not hold a faculty position or be on leave from such position.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy is strongly committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable academic environment. We recognize that diversity in perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds enriches research and innovation. As part of this commitment, we strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as members of underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority communities, and members of sexual and gender minority groups.

Our goal is to ensure that all qualified candidates have equal access to opportunities and resources that support their success. Applicants are invited to highlight any aspects of their experience or proposed research that contribute to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the academic community. The Faculty values initiatives that promote inclusive research practices, broaden participation in scholarly activities, and address barriers faced by marginalized groups.

Award Value and Duration

The LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA) provides a total funding amount of $10,000 for each successful applicant. This funding is intended to directly support the postdoctoral scholar’s independent research project and must be used in accordance with the guidelines outlined below. The award is available for the full term of the postdoctoral engagement, which typically spans up to two years. The eligible and ineligible expenses include:

Eligible Expenses

Research consumables and materials
Software and licenses
Data collection and participant costs
Research-related travel
Publication costs

Ineligible Expenses

Salary top-ups
General lab operating costs
Capital equipment purchases without prior approval
Professional development
Conferences without prior approval

The purpose of this award is to provide postdoctoral scholars with the autonomy and resources necessary to advance their research agenda, distinct from their supervisor’s program, while ensuring feasibility within the timeframe of their engagement. All expenditures must comply with University of Toronto financial policies and be processed through the appropriate divisional reimbursement mechanisms.

Competition Deadline

The LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA) will be offered annually through the 2027/28 academic year. The application deadline for each competition cycle is TBD. If this date falls on a weekend or a statutory holiday, the deadline will automatically move to the next business day.

All application packages must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the deadline date. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Application Process

To apply for the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA), applicants must submit a complete application package by the competition deadline. All materials should be combined into a single PDF document and submitted via email to the designated contact.

Your application must include the following:

Research Proposal (maximum 3 pages):
- Clearly state the objectives and significance of your proposed research.
- Describe the methodology and demonstrate feasibility within the award period.
- Explain how the project is distinct from your supervisor’s research program and will advance your independent research.
- Include an expected outcomes section and a knowledge mobilization plan outlining how results will be shared.
Bibliography (maximum 1 page):
- Provide references cited in your proposal using a consistent citation format.
Budget and Justification (maximum 2 pages):
- Detail how the $10,000 award will be allocated.
- Ensure all expenses align with the eligible cost categories outlined in the award guidelines.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Biosketch (maximum 5 pages):
- Highlight academic achievements, publications, and evidence of research independence.
Supervisor Letter of Support (maximum 2 pages):
- Confirm the supervisor’s commitment to providing resources and mentorship.
- Explain how the proposed research complements but remains independent from the supervisor’s program.
Proof of PhD Completion Date
- unofficial transcript or copy of diploma with date

Submit your application to Sam D’Alfonso (sam.dalfonso@utoronto.ca). The document must be saved as one PDF file using the following naming convention: last_name_first_name-PRCR-Date.

Review Committee

A committee from within the Faculty of Pharmacy will be established to review all applications from members of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy. Each LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award application will be reviewed and ranked by the committee. To be successful, applicants must write their applications for non-specialist reviewers. Applications written in a highly specialized or technical prose may receive a lower ranking. It is expected that a decision will be rendered within 60 days of the application deadline.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications for the LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA) will use the following weighted criteria. Each criterion is designed to ensure that awards are granted to candidates who demonstrate excellence, independence, and potential for impact.

Criterion	Weight
Academic Excellence & Leadership – Reviewers will evaluate the applicant’s academic record, including publications, presentations, and other scholarly contributions. Evidence of research independence and intellectual leadership will be considered, such as the ability to conceptualize and execute projects beyond doctoral work. Strong indicators include high-quality publications, awards, and leadership roles in research collaborations.	30%
Quality & Independence of Proposal – The proposed research must be original, well-structured, and clearly articulated. Reviewers will assess whether the project demonstrates creativity and scholarly rigor, and whether it is distinct from the supervisor’s research program. The proposal should outline clear objectives, a sound methodology, and a compelling rationale for the research.	30%
Feasibility & Environment – The committee will consider whether the proposed research can realistically be completed within the award period. This includes evaluating the timeline, milestones, and access to necessary resources and facilities. The supervisor’s letter of support should confirm that the applicant will have the required infrastructure and mentorship to succeed.	20%
Impact & Career Trajectory – Reviewers will assess the potential of the proposed research to generate meaningful outcomes, such as publications, datasets, or knowledge mobilization activities. The committee will also consider how the project will advance the applicant’s career, positioning them for future faculty appointments or leadership roles in research-intensive environments.	20%

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Global Postdoctoral Fellowship

The MSCA Global Postdoctoral Fellowship supports European researcher mobility outside of Europe to create long-term collaborations and new knowledge transfer between European Member States, Associated Countries, Third Countries (countries outside Europe) such as Canada. Applicants must have successfully defended their doctoral thesis by the application deadline.

Researchers based in Europe or Pillar I Associated Countries (Canada is associated to Pillar II only) can apply for a 2–3-year MSCA global fellowship at European Host Organization, also based in an EU Member State or Pillar I Associated Country. If successful, a Global Fellow first spends 1-2 years at a Third Country Research Partner Organization, such as the University of Toronto, for their fellowship’s outgoing phase. This is followed by a mandatory 1-year return phase at the European Host Organization.

Each Global Fellow has two supervisors, one at their European Host Organization and one at the Third Country Research Partner Organization.

Submission Process

By the internal deadline, the applicant’s proposed U of T Supervisor must upload & submit the following documents through the University's My Research Application (MRA) System:

The applicant’s draft application
A draft U of T letter of commitment in editable MS Word format. Our team can provide a template letter.

Internal Deadline: Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Sponsor Deadline: Wednesday, September 9, 2026

For further details, please see the MSCA Funding Opportunity Page

Network for Healthy Populations Graduate and Trainee Awards

The Novo Nordisk Network for Healthy Populations (NHP) at the University of Toronto is pleased to announce a call for applications for its Graduate and Trainee Awards.

Value: Up to $15,000 per award

Duration: One year (beginning September 1, 2026)

Purpose:

The NHP’s Graduate and Trainee Awards support trainees engaged in research related to metabolic and cardiometabolic health and the social, structural, and environmental factors that influence health outcomes.

Available Awards:

NHP University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Trainee Award: Full-time thesis-based Master’s or PhD students, or eligible Postdoctoral Fellows supervised by a UTM-appointed faculty member.
NHP Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH) Graduate Award: Full-time Master’s, PhD, or DrPH students registered at DLSPH in a thesis-based program.

Application Deadline: Friday, May 8, 2026, 5:00 pm (ET)

How to Apply:

For full application details and to apply, please visit the program website: https://uoft.me/GraduateTraineeAwards

About the NHP:

The NHP is a cross-disciplinary research network that brings together experts from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and University of Toronto Mississauga. Its mission is to reduce inequities in the risk and burden of diabetes and related cardiometabolic conditions across the lifespan through improved care, reduced risk factors, and healthier living environments.

Questions?

U of T Call for Proposals Indo-Pacific Scholarships for Canadians

The University of Toronto (U of T) has secured funding through the Indo-Pacific Scholarships and Fellowships for Canadians (IPSFC) program, administered by Global Affairs Canada.

As part of the funded project “Resilient and Sustainable Futures: Innovation and Policy Pathways for the Indo-Pacific", the Office of the Vice-President, International (OVPI) is providing funding to support research travel for Canadian PhD students to partner institutions in four priority countries: India, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea.

The fund is open to proposals in research areas that are relevant to Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, with a particular focus on:

Technological innovation
Energy security
Regional diplomacy and security
Climate change
Sustainable development

Eligibility:

PhD students at U of T are eligible to apply.
Applicant must be a Canadian citizens or Permanent Resident of Canada

Important Dates:

Application deadline – May 28, 2026
Start date of award – July 15, 2026
Duration of the project – July 15, 2026 to July 15, 2027

Funding:

Between $7,000 and $10,000 CAD.

Please click here for the full Call for Proposal Guidelines.

If you have questions, please contact Alicja Sobecka, Office of the Vice-President International at alicja.sobecka@utoronto.ca.

Faculty are encouraged to review U of T’s safeguarding research resources when developing their proposals.

Do not use MRA to submit this application.

Université Paris Cité - U of T Doctoral Mobility Award Program

The University of Toronto (U of T) and Université Paris Cité (UPCité) are hosting a joint call for applications for the 2026 Doctoral Mobility Award Program to further develop their research collaboration and doctoral program strengths. The call is open to all disciplines, and funding will support travel and accommodation costs for supervised PhD student mobility.